Product Description

The HP Pavilion dv6405 has been designed to provide you with advanced digital entertainment solutions, as well as fast and reliable mobile computing performance. Enjoy 3D gaming and video editing with the NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 graphics card. Watch your favorite DVDs, or create one of your own, with the 8x Super Multi DVD burner. Movies and games look amazing on the 15.4" WXGA High-Definition Brightview Widescreen LCD. Being a widescreen, its also great for your day-to-day applications. True side-by-side multi-tasking has never been easier. See below for what else the HP Pavilion dv6405 has to offer... 2 RAM Slots NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 with up to 287MB of shared memory (memory is taken fromthe main system's RAM) 120GB (5400RPM) HDD 8x Super Multi Double Layer DVD Burner 15.4 WXGA High-Definition Brightview Widescreen Native Resolution - 1280 x 800 Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 2 Headphone Out (1 with SPDIF Digital Audio&1 Stereo), 1 Microphone In, 1 VGA,&1 S-Video Out 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Support 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader - supports Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia Cards (MMC), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro,&xD Picture Cards 56k Fax Modem Altec Lansing Audio 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34) Unit Dimensions - 14.05 (l) x 10.12 (w) x 1.56 (h) Unit Weight - 6.8 lbs.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #900 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: DV6405US
• Platform: Windows
• Dimensions: 1.69" h x 14.05" w x 6.30" l, 6.14 pounds
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 1.7 GHz
• Memory: 1000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 120GB
• Processors: 2
• Display size: 15.4

Features

• Entertainment-centric notebook PC with 15.4-inch screen, HP Imprint finish, and 1.7 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-53 processor
• 120 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max), 8x DVD-/+RW drive
• Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, expansion port 3 connector, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader
• 54g Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g), 10/100 Ethernet, Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 video card with up to 287 MB shared memory
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed for fast access to your entire entertainment library, the HP Pavilion dv6405us notebook PC is a great choice for both families and business travelers on the go. The 15.4-inch high-definition BrightView display looks good even in direct sunlight, and you'll enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process). Control playback settings from up to 10 feet away with the included HP remote, then store it conveniently in the Express card slot. Easily manage your digital photo library and share with friends and family using the included HP Photosmart Premier software. This stylish laptop also features a high-gloss, durable HP Imprint finish with an inlaid wave design.

It's powered by the 64-bit 1.7 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-53 processor, which allows you to easily run multiple programs without slowing down your productivity. This notebook also features a 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), built-in 54g Wi-Fi connectivity (802.11b/g), 8x multi-format/dual-layer DVD+/-RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard slot, and NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 video/graphics card.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The 1.7 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-53 processor offers a dual-core architecture, which delivers additional computing resources to help expand your PC's capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing--increasing your performance by up to 80 percent. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly thanks to the innovative Direct Connect Architecture. And it's designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance. You'll enjoy long battery life thanks to the AMD PowerNow! power management technology, which delivers performance on demand and can extend system battery life up to 65 percent. And the AMD Digital Media XPress technology delivers stellar multimedia performance and playback on digital entertainment such as games, streaming video and audio, DVDs, and music.

  Each processing core has a 256 KB L2 cache (for a 512 KB total), and this processor can deliver up to a 1600 MHz system bus for lightning quick computing reflexes. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

• Hard Drive: The 120 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 20,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (2 x 512 MB) is a good start, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and productivity suites. This notebook has a 2 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 x 1 GB). Also, to receive the benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).

Screen, Video & Audio
You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 15.4-inch WXGA high-definition screen, which displays an 18 percent larger picture than standard 15-inch screens and offers up to an 18 percent improvement in contrast ratio. It has a widescreen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels--perfect for watching DVD movies the way they were meant to be seen. Video is powered by an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 graphics/video card with up to 287 MB of shared video memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications. It also offers an integrated audio card and built-in Altec Lansing speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This notebook has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (though no standard PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a good offering of connectivity options:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV
• 1 ExpressCard 54/34
• 2 headphone jacks (1 with S/PDIF digital audio compatibility) and 1 microphone jack
• 1 notebook expansion port 3 (for use with the HP xb3000 Expansion Base or the HP Notebook QuickDock)
• 1 consumer IR (infrared)
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer Basic Edition, Roxio Creator 9 Basic, PC Recovery, HP PhotoSmart Essentials, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 14.05 x 10.12 x 1.69 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 6.14 pounds.

Power
This notebook is powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers up to 2 hours of battery life (dependent upon computing conditions).

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion dv6405us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, IR remote control, earphones, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

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Customer Reviews

heavy but nice
i really like it and will be buyin this series for gift in the future. this particular is a bit heavy and does not do well in portability but it has a nice sleek look.

Arguably The Best Value In A Media Laptop For The Money!
Thumbs Up:
Fast processor, extreme good looks, rugged construction, HP's history of quality, price.


Thumbs Down:
Vista, 5400rpm HD, 1 gig of memory, annoying fan noise due to processor heat, HP's poor record for service.


The Bottom Line:
If you don't mind Vista, or can replace it with XP, and a fan doesn't bother you, this may well be the best value in a media laptop you'll find.


What I Think:

I've used computers for over 25 years. I've owned many laptops and this is by far the best Windows deck I've owned.

First off it's beautiful. Made well and rugged, lighter than most it's size, gorgeous bright screen, 15.4 WXGA, 160g HD. Built in 1.3 mp webcam and mic, Intel pro-wireless, 6 cell bat, and a boatload more included features. Mine also came with a Lightscribe DVD burner, HP's bootless QuickPlay software for playing the DVDs without having to use Windows.

The Hp dv6426us comes with three expansion ports, a Firewire port, three USB 2 ports, a 5-in-1 digital media reader, etc.

The only real drawback I've found on this laptop compared to all the many others I've owned is that it comes loaded with Windows Vista. This is my first Vista machine and I absolutely hate it. It totally fills the 1 gig memory the machine comes with even when idle. When something triggers the processor, it will go over 100%, no matter what the program. And the Vongo and other junk prepackaged with the machine slows it to a crawl. You'll have to rip all of that out to see the true speed this laptop really has.

Since I've had it, I've only used it for email on the road. But I plan this summer when things slow down to dump Vista and load either XP Pro or Vista Lite (an unauthorized stripped down version of Vista) onto the HP. Besides it getting a little warm on the bottom side due to the heat generated by the Intel Core Duo processor and the fans coming on and off the cool it, this is an unbelievable steal at this price.

I first saw this laptop being used by people in my line of work. This machine was showing up everywhere. So I asked each of these folks if they likes the machine and what were the main drawbacks. They all said they loved the machine and that the cons were few, mostly the warm underside and the fan noise. Some of the machines issued produce a high pitched whine, which if it's too troublesome, you can contact HP and exchange the laptop for a new (not refurbished one like Dell gets away with). At that time, it was selling for around $950.00 to $1,000.00. I just happened to see it on deep discount at Circuit City for $650.00. I grabbed the last one they had and after about nine months, I still love the deck.

It comes with the slower 5400 rpm hard drive and I may swap that out for the much faster 7200 rpm drive. And I'm definitely going to add another gig of memory. Unfortunately, this laptop has a limit of 2 gigs of memory.

It's not for gamers so if you are looking for a portable gaming machine, don't buy this one for that. But if you need an outstanding laptop for dirt cheap, this is the one to look at!


What It's Features Are:

Intel Core Duo T2450 2 GHz Processor

15.4 WXGA High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display (1024 x 768)

160 GB 5400 rpm Hard Disc Drive

1024 mb DDR2 SDRAM memory (2 Dimm)

Intel PRO Wireless 3945 a/b/g 802 11a/b/g integrated Wireless LAN

Lightscribe Super Multi 8x DVD+/-RW Double Layer Supported

6-Cell battery

HP DVD/CD Quick Play

HP Mobile Remote Control

5-in-1 Digital Media Card Slot

ExpressCard/54 PC Expansion Card Slot

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with shared graphics memory

Windows Vista Home Premium OS

1.3mp Integrated Webcam

Integrated microphone

Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones

Expansion Port 3


What I Like:

I love the styling. It's smart and professional looking and has lots of sex appeal too. The machine is built rugged and feels like it will take some abuse. It's easy to use. The buttons are well lit and marked and the keyboard feels good to the fingers, though some say it's a bit springy. Though only an XGA, the screen is bright, clear and easy to read with vibrant colors. The integrated sound is good enough for listening to mp3s and web radio on the road. I've not had the bottom panels off yet so I can't comment on easy of using the expansion ports or changing out memory. The DVD burner is easy to use with the enclosed cheapo burning software. I would recommend you replace it with what you are used to using to burn CDs and DVDs. Once you uninstall all of the garbage out of the machine and cheap unnecessary programs that try to load at boot time, this machine flies with speed. Even though it's not a feather weight (around 6 and a half pounds), it's very totable and can even be used on your lap.


What I Don't Like:

VISTA! Sorry but this is a terrible OS. Windows really shot itself in the foot with this. I've not talked to one person since this came out who likes it, even a little. Sure the graphics are cute, but you don't buy a computer for animated Mac style graphics. The new built in high security system is a joke. What it is is merely a series of questions when you click a button. It's like this:


Operator: Clicked a button to do something

Windows Security: Are you sure you wanted to do that?

Operator: Yes, click

Windows Security: Are you REALLY sure you wanted to do that?

Operator: YES! Click

Windows Security: Windows Security thinks this is an unauthorized attempt to access this computer. Access denied

Operator: BUT I'M THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THIS COMPUTER!!!


And this happens for every single thing you try to do in Vista. So you end up turning the High Security system off. Which right there tells you how secure it is. When I got this laptop and started immediately having trouble with Vista, I went online and found numerous blogs and articles saying the same thing. And there are no fixes for just being a big, poorly written, bloated operating system. What these IT experts did was either use Vista Lite, a stripped down version of Vista, or wipe the whole hard drive clean and "upgrade" to Windows XP Pro, which is what I use on my desktop and really love. That's probably what I will do when I get the chance.

Also, the HP Quick Play buttons are very easy to accidently activate and then it's a pain to get out of that program quickly.

And look out for the wireless activation button on the front. Grab the computer wrong and it turns off and you'll forget to check that as the problem.

This computer comes with the Intel Core Duo processor. This is not the same as the Core 2 Duo, which runs a lot cooler than the Core Duo. So what that means is more internal heat which will eventually affect the components and may shorten their lifespan. But the main affect is a very warm bottom on the computer which can get uncomfortable if you sit it for long periods of time on your legs or lap. It won't burn you but it does get warm. The second result is fans. There are several, including a pretty soft one that stays on all the time. When you start running multiple programs, especially graphic intensive ones, or have multiple windows open, the fans come on and at their extreme, they really scream. If there is anything I would label a design flaw with this machine, it would be this heat issue and the fan noise. But for me, it's a minor annoyance for what I use this laptop for.


My Conclusions:

All in all, I love this laptop computer. It's exactly what I was looking for with a cross of the high end media features and the zip of a gaming machine, plus the simplicity of a standard use notebook. If you consider buying this computer, before you load it up with software and programs, give yourself a break-in period to see if you will be happy with Vista. Most folks aren't but most also are not up to the task of replacing their operating system from scratch, and then reloading all the software and programs back into the machine, and then trouble shooting the new installation looking for drivers for the hardware that may not be supported automatically by XP. An option is to have the store where you buy it do that swap out for you. Know this, that they will charge you to reload your computer, AND you will have to pay for the other OS. Most non-professionals just tough out Vista and all of it's problems. If you keep it, you'll definitely need to replace the memory with two new sticks of 1gig high speed RAM. That's around another $200.00 to do that since the 1gig that comes with the machine is really two sticks of 500megs so you won't be able to use it. You could then always sell the 1gig on eBay.

Good luck!

HP Laptops
In August, before going off to college, as many other college students have done in the past and continue to do, I went on a search to find a laptop for school. Although my school endorses Macs and Dells, I decided on an HP. My family has owned many HP's in the past and from what I had read it sounded like a great laptop. Unfortunately, it was only great on paper. It freezes and I have had to erase the hard drive multiple times. And, the big problem, the battery that it comes with only lasts an hour. It is not a bad battery though, when HP was contacted, they confirmed that the battery that comes with the laptop is only supposed to last an hour. There is a battery that will last from 2.5 to 3 hours that you can purchase for $150, but 2.5 to 3 hours is a maximum estimate and that battery hangs below the computer, as they claim, giving your computer a nice slant. Who would market this type of a computer to college students? Would you really send your own kid off to college to attend lectures with a laptop battery that lasts a maximum of one hour?! I don't care if a businessman, college student, or any type of student for that matter is using it. Selling a laptop with a battery life of one hour and not having that in the literature is not excusable. HP should be ashamed. They should also be ashamed by their incompetent call center workers who, when they don't disconnect your calls and speak English clearly and know what they are talking about, talk down to you. One woman forgot to log my call and another said that she would call me back in an hour- it took her over 48 hours. I eventually had to resort to having my parents handle this issue which has yet to be satisfactorily resolved. At one point my mother had been on hold for 45 minutes. Now they are sending me the 2.5 to 3 hour battery free, and they suggested I keep that battery that lasts an hour so I can carry it around with me as I have 2 lectures in a row and need the battery to last a minimum of 3 hours, which we all know it won't. How sad is that, even they know the battery won't last that long. Unfortunately, in the end it is the college student who is at a disadvantage, as her parents have already shelled out nine hundred dollars on this HP laptop and then went out and got an HP desktop for the family. Yet, had they known that this laptop had such poor battery life, they would have 1) never purchased it to begin with and 2) kept this one and not purchased the desktop and gotten me a different laptop instead. Needless to say, this will be the last HP product I EVER buy.